Business Day reports that the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) and the ruling ANC party met this week behind closed doors to discuss the contentious Protection of State Information Bill which seriously threatens the country’s media freedom.
Known as the Secrecy Bill, the bill was passed by parliament last week, despite vehement opposition from the public, civil organisations and opposition parties. The bill gives extensive powers to state security agencies and lacks a public defence clause.
According to the Business Day report, the parties “have reached some common ground in their standoff’. No further details of the discussions have been revealed.
The ANC parliamentary caucus had initiated the meeting following the deluge of criticism around the bill. The Congress of South African Trade Unions has also been highly critical of the bill.
